Delegates of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada's Eastern Synod voted July 6 to allow individual congregations to decide whether same-sex unions may be blessed in their parishes.

For perhaps the first time in our denomination's history, we are able to use technology effectively to bridge gaps of isolationism. We use e-mail to connect instantly with people across the country. We access the Internet to discover the latest news about our church's disaster response. We search the denomination's website for the location of a church in an area that we intend to visit.

ENI – The Czech Republic's Roman Catholic church is selling properties at cut prices in an effort to cope with plummeting congregations and donations.

The Bible can be read in the spirit of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, says a pastor who teaches the ritual renowned for its tranquility and attention to detail that has been influenced by Zen Buddhism.

The Life and Mission Agency has announced that Lori Ransom, an elder at St. Andrew's, King Street, Toronto, and member of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation (Pembroke, Ont.) will be the church's first Healing and Reconciliation Program Animator.

A cheque in the amount of $2,200,000 from the Canadian International Development Agency and made payable to Presbyterian World Service and Development was received in early July. PWS&D is administering the tsunami relief program in India which has brought together a joint effort of the Presbyterian, United, Mennonite and Anglican Churches. The happy PWS&D members are Alex Macdonald, Rev. Rick Fee, Karen Plater, John Popiel, Guy Smagghe and Colleen McCue.

ENI – A US survey confirmed that the Democratic Party has “a serious God problem,” with only 26 per cent of those surveyed feeling the party is friendly to religion.

Moderator Wilma Welsh, on request of the General Assembly, has written to Peter Mackay, the minister of foreign affairs, to “adopt global transfer principles or criteria that would prevent the shipment of small arms to countries where there are serious human rights violations or to countries in which small arms are likely to undermine human security and development efforts.”

St. Columba Presbyterian Church in Marion Bridge, Nova Scotia, is missing between $30,000 and $60,000. Cape Breton police were investigating its disappearance back in May, although money was first reported missing on February 21. Rev. Kevin Richardson did confirm the money is yet to be found and said he was not aware of any new information pertaining to the case. Frank magazine reported the congregation’s lawyer, Blair Mitchell, of Mitchell & Ferguson Associates, as saying, “Members of the congregation have become aware of the possibility that funds are missing, and are taking appropriate steps to investigate that, and are looking to recover potential loss.” The congregation draws about 30 people on a Sunday, in a community of about 400. – AM/p>

ENI – Religious leaders in Asia are hoping a “School of Peace” will help young activists from different religions spread a message of harmony and tolerance.

Personally, while I like to commute on my bicycle, I don’t think that I would have entered the Bike for Bibles Centennial Ride if I hadn’t felt a strong nudge from God to do so. Since God does things for me all the time, I felt good about tangibly doing something for Him. In a way, for me, doing this ride parallels the story of the talents. God has given me the ability to ride my bike and called me to use it for his purpose of spreading the Word by helping the Canadian Bible Society raise funds. I felt a bit like the reluctant prophet Jonah, being anxious about undertaking the tasks of fundraising and going on such a long ride. But, I figured I might as well follow the call instead of being swallowed by a whale, and so I remind myself whenever I get overwhelmed, that I’m doing this for God and that God only asks those who are worthy. I am excited because this is the first time I am doing something that I don’t really want to do for myself but feel called upon to do for God. Actually, it scares me sometimes, because I don’t want to fail God in this effort. I guess you could say it has become a bit of a faith journey now.

A new web exhibit from the Association for Manitoba Archives highlights the Red River Settlement Churches from 1818-1870. The churches were central to the lives of settlers in the remote fur trading community on the banks of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. Archival documents left by the congregations reveal what life was like in the now-vanished society.

ENI – The World Summit of Religious Leaders, the largest interfaith gathering to meet in Russia since the time of the Cold War, closed its July meeting by passing a resolution condemning terrorism, economic inequality, environmental abuses and the denigration of moral values in the modern world.

The Presbyterian Church (USA) made some controversial decisions at its General Assembly in June, and is beginning to hear criticism from conservative members and partners. Meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, the assembly voted to allow flexibility in deciding whether to ordain non-celibate homosexuals as clergy, something that was previously banned outright by the denomination.

After 120 years of service, Victoria-Royce, Toronto, has closed its doors. The final service was held on June 25th, with about 300 people in attendance. “There was a tremendous response,” said Rev. George French, a former minister of Victoria-Royce for 15 years. “They came from far and wide to say goodbye.”

An interfaith coalition has asked Prime Minister Stephen Harper to continue applying diplomatic pressure on the Sudanese government to ease the tension in Darfur. Moderator Wilma Welsh joined the heads of major churches and faith groups in Canada to request the Canadian government “work with others in engaging all diplomatic means available to address the legitimate concerns of groups which either do not yet form part of the Darfur Peace Agreement or that have a direct stake in a resolution of the conflict including rebel groups, civil society organizations, and victims.”

The Canadian Council of Churches passed its Invitation Regarding HIV/AIDS in May, asking member churches to:

The Christian Education Advisory Committee regularly reviews educational material for use in the Presbyterian Church, based on whether or not the material is considered to be Presbyterian. Recently, the committee found several materials to be unacceptable, with the great distinction being whether or not it reflects a Reformed theology or an evangelical/dispensationalist view.

Since Jan. 2004, Gigmasters.com, an American entertainment booking website, recorded a near-200 per cent increase in the number of people booking Christian rock and other religious-based entertainment for everything from weddings, to corporate parties, to religious festivals. The site receives a monthly average of more than 400 requests for Christian rock entertainment alone.

Moderators of General Assembly met for a social gathering at church offices a few weeks before assembly this year. Seated from left: Jean Morris (2005), Wilma Welsh (2006), Earle Roberts (1993), John Congram (1997). Standing, from left: Art Van Seters (1999), Ken McMillan (1979), Harrold Morris (1989), Bill Klempa (1998), Rick Fee (2004) and Linda Bell (1992).